by Alison Besikof Custom Designs
Chicago, IL, US 60610 · 90 photos
Artisan Kitchen Remodel
http://www.abcustomdesigns.net

For this kitchen renovation, the homeowners wanted to keep their oak cabinets but wanted to freshen up and modernize their space. I changed the cabinet hardware, took down some 80s wallpaper, got new appliances and beautiful new granite countertops. I also had a custom backsplash made by Mercury Mosaics. The old dinette set was dated so I had a custom table and chairs made. Small changes helped bring a dated kitchen into the present.

 
This photo has 4 questions
vtlb wrote:
Love this kitchen! I would like to know the color of the granite. Thank you. - Before I saw your design, I just had my '80s oak cabinets freshened up. Now I'm trying to decide on the countertops and have toyed with granite or marble and was looking to see what color and material was used on this kitchen's countertop. Any feedback is appreciated. »
· Comment · 7 weeks ago
Alison Besikof Custom Designs Thanks! This granite is called Ambrosia White where I bought it. Different showrooms and granite yards will call it other things. I would strongly discourage marble for your kitchen. Instead, I would suggest you either go with granite or check out quartzites. They are natural stones with soft, lovely patterning. This is different from quartz, a man made product. Quartzite is even stronger than granite and is perfect for kitchens. Most of the readily available quartzites (lagoinha and Madre Perla) often have greenish base tones to them, which against natural oak helps to neutralize some of the orange. I chose this granite because it is bright and white and has greenish-gray veining. The backsplash and paint are also greenish-gray.
7 weeks ago ·
vtlb Thank you so much for fast response! I will be going out to the granite yards this week and will look for the color. I also love your tile stix and checked out the vendor. Once my kitchen is completed, I'll post a picture.
7 weeks ago ·
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bsilverglate wrote:
What is the stain color on the oak cabinets? »
· Comment · 8 weeks ago
Alison Besikof Custom Designs The cabinets are natural oak with a clear varnish.
8 weeks ago ·
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rnjanke wrote:
Backsplash - Can you please give details on the subway tile? »
· Comment · 4 months ago
Alison Besikof Custom Designs This tile is a beautiful handmade tile from Mercury Mosaics. We did the 2"x4" size and the color light gray (815).

http://www.mercurymosaics.com/
4 months ago ·
rnjanke Love it! Thank you!
4 months ago ·
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msgreeneyes2 wrote:
Wall color - What is the paint color? »
· Comment · 8 months ago
What Houzzers are commenting on:
added by demren to demren's Favorites (39 hours ago)
Backsplash
added by cindyb21 to cindyb21's ideas (2 days ago)
The window
added by hughikes to hughikes's Ideas (4 days ago)
Nice
added by meredechien to meredechien's Ideas (4 days ago)
I like the tile around the windows
added by megs_217 to megs_217's ideas (5 days ago)
Oak
added by Simply Southern Staging to 10/13/12 (6 days ago)
subway tile
added by ecpers to kitchen (6 days ago)
Ki
added by robinann1961 to Kitchen Ideas (6 days ago)
The color and the white
added by jbeacher to jbeacher's Ideas (6 days ago)
kit
added by shelyoung to shelyoung's ideas (9 days ago)
colors around window to match cabinets
added by dyans to dyans's Ideas (10 days ago)
Like the counter top
added by acherry to kitcken (10 days ago)
Tile surrounding windows
added by strohecker to strohecker's Ideas (12 days ago)
.??? Cabinets
added by telekt to telekt's ideas (13 days ago)
Window tile
added by crystalkmn to My Dream Shack (13 days ago)
Like the tile around the window. Neat.
added by yesipg to yesipg's Favorites (13 days ago)
Fondo ventana
added by Therese Pasquier to therese_pasquier's ideas (14 days ago)
countertop color with oak cabs
added by kimberlypilney to nat (2 weeks ago)
not quarter sawn
added by sholow332 to Kitchen Ideas (2 weeks ago)
color, (bright but functional)
added by mluna28 to Kitchen Ideas (3 weeks ago)
It's a thought
added by anneedavis to Sunset (3 weeks ago)
backsplashes
added by haha333 to Kitchen (3 weeks ago)
Possiblity for the kitchen back splash. Matches our current counter tops and light oak wood cabinents
added by cmogensen to cmogensen's ideas (3 weeks ago)
Grey Oak Combo
added by chrisegirot to chrisegirot's ideas (3 weeks ago)
working w old oak cabinets
added by jess1228 to Kitchen (3 weeks ago)
Very cool way to modernize oak cabinets. LOVE the backsplash!
added by ajmutch to Kitchen Ideas (3 weeks ago)
honey oak cabinets
added by cmwest9 to cmwest9's Ideas (3 weeks ago)
Brave mix of backsplash
added by trpub to Kitchen (3 weeks ago)
Oak cabinets with contrasting tile backsplash
added by karnajpeters to Kitchen Ideas (4 weeks ago)
countertop and tile
added by leiselflower to kitchen spaces (4 weeks ago)
google madre perla countertops...look for greenish undertone to offset honey oak
added by elwydee to backsplash (4 weeks ago)
Mercury tile
added by wilkinson03 to wilkinson03's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Back splash
added by Anna Makovsky to Future Kitchen (4 weeks ago)
subway tiles in gray shades
added by leanns to Kelly (4 weeks ago)
Added modern accents but no wow factor
added by evileva61 to evileva61's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Not this backsplash, but I like the tiles around the window
added by khaoskelz11 to khaoskelz11's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Hinges
added by fsaleh to fsaleh's ideas (4 weeks ago)
molding at the top of cupboards. gives a more finished look
added by sylvia57 to Kitchen Ideas (4 weeks ago)
designer commented that a hint of green in will help offset the orange hue.
added by Melinda Galusha to melinda_galusha's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
added by tetto to tetto's Ideas (5 weeks ago)
Kitchen window....work tops into window frame .....
added by meghanlb to meghanlb's ideas (5 weeks ago)
Light counter
added by Ana Amorim to ana_amorim8655's ideas (5 weeks ago)
backsplash
added by medowling12 to Kitchen (5 weeks ago)
accent around window
added by Teri Tucci to oak cabinets (5 weeks ago)
Backsplash with oak cabinets
added by dianas2743 to dianas2743's Ideas (5 weeks ago)
Honey oak
added by bengle to kitchens (5 weeks ago)
Backsplash
added by samaso11 to Kitchen Ideas (5 weeks ago)
what NOT to do
added by kjs78 to kjs78's ideas (5 weeks ago)
Counter and backsplash
added by pucci555 to pucci555's ideas (5 weeks ago)
counter top and brick-like back splash
added by jackmahe to jackmahe's Ideas (6 weeks ago)
Idem
added by lcsandon to Kitchen Ideas (6 weeks ago)
i like the idea of doing something different around the window
added by rensuzkietse to rensuzkietse's Ideas (6 weeks ago)
mosaic around window
added by lvhome to lvhome's ideas (6 weeks ago)
counterop
added by tralaw to Kitchen Ideas (6 weeks ago)
Oak & stainless
added by jennasteinkamp to Kitchen Ideas (6 weeks ago)
Backsplash around the widow
added by annaloomer1 to Kitchen Ideas (6 weeks ago)
counters and backsplash
added by elky88 to 777 (6 weeks ago)
light counters?
added by moe481 to moe481's Ideas (6 weeks ago)
Tile around window
added by evamrk to evamrk's Ideas (6 weeks ago)
Kitchen
added by Matt Ryan to troutpond (6 weeks ago)
cb
added by macwau to kitchen (6 weeks ago)
Love the two different tyle
added by jamesshouse to jamesshouse's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Use of different tiles to frame window versus tiles used in backslash.
added by Jona P to Kitchen Ideas (7 weeks ago)
like the gray backsplash
added by pkublack to kitchen (7 weeks ago)
White countertop with accent back splash
added by Kellie Major to Bonnie and Steve's kitchen (7 weeks ago)
Your cabinet colour with backsplash
added by Nanci McGreevy to nanci_mcgreevy's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Possibility by kitchen surround and above stove.
added by rossreller to rossreller's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Our existing plan
added by Pkk to Kitchen (7 weeks ago)
Tile around window
added by gorbag40 to gorbag40's ideas (7 weeks ago)
Modernized Golden Oak
added by steveonats to Kitchen Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Blinds
added by zoeyab to Kitchen Ideas (7 weeks ago)
working with existing cabinets
added by misping to misping's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Kitchen
added by Shauna Mucklow to shauna_mucklow's Ideas (8 weeks ago)
Around window
added by Erin Cantwell to Kitchen and Dining. (8 weeks ago)
Yup. Fell in love. :P
added by maggielambrose to maggielambrose's Ideas (8 weeks ago)
Off centered facut
added by stephakbailey to kitchen (8 weeks ago)
small subway tiles?
added by casale100 to casale100's ideas (8 weeks ago)
back splash around window
added by anag520 to Kitchen (8 weeks ago)
I think I rather do Dark counter tops
added by trwithers to Existing Cabinets (8 weeks ago)
Light Counters/Back splash
added by cheyanneh to Kitchen Ideas (8 weeks ago)
tile and backsplash
added by smiserla to smiser bar ideas (8 weeks ago)
Framing the window
added by cabinchic to Kitchen Ideas (8 weeks ago)
honey oak cabinets
added by csmajor to csmajor's ideas (8 weeks ago)
knobs
added by akwellman to akwellman's Ideas (8 weeks ago)
Tile frame around window; too much with Roman shade
added by aliasbug to Kitchen Ideas (8 weeks ago)
Tile Window surround
added by carlynfinley to carlynfinley's ideas (9 weeks ago)
Mixed tile backsplash
added by jackieswille to Kitchen 2013 (2 months ago)
don't like the stain on these oak cabinets - the grain is to busy.
added by madelineshouse to madelineshouse's ideas (2 months ago)
honey oak updated for young homeowners
added by rdandy to Bathroom Ideas (2 months ago)
brightness
added by ktru to Kitchens (2 months ago)
Updated honey oak
added by kristenfowlks to Kitchen Ideas (2 months ago)
backsplash
added by Julie Riley to julie_riley6781's ideas (2 months ago)
Roman shade
added by spoesr to Kitchen Ideas (2 months ago)
wall color, counter, backsplash
added by Daphne M to Kitchen Ideas (2 months ago)
Backsplash
added by nancy6677 to nancy6677's Ideas (2 months ago)
Oak
added by terrichartrand to terrichartrand's ideas (2 months ago)
now this is good
added by polonez to polonez's Ideas (2 months ago)
Оформление окна
added by julemiester to julemiester's Ideas (2 months ago)
Tile
added by Shelley Cronin Design to Stony Plain Project (2 months ago)
Oak Cabinets
added by judiki to judiki's ideas (2 months ago)
oak cabinet
added by marybethsstuff to marybethsstuff's Ideas (2 months ago)
Ok
added by Carolina Wonder Ehrlich to Lalawonder (2 months ago)
keep the cabinets, change the counters and backsplash
added by Kelly Sheldon to kitchen (2 months ago)
tile areound the window
added by shockeysally to Kitchen Ideas (2 months ago)
under sink little cabinet shelf
added by kpiraino to kpiraino's Favorites (2 months ago)
backsplash
added by romodel to romodel's Ideas (2 months ago)
Similar to existingNew handles Granite color
added by nutmegmay to nutmegmay's Ideas (2 months ago)
Grey walls in kitchen
added by astyer to astyer's Ideas (2 months ago)
backsplash
added by lindapking to Kitchen Ideas (2 months ago)
WHITE...MAYBE?
added by bahayko to bahayko's Favorites (2 months ago)
cabinet
added by Wynn Feilde to kitchen (2 months ago)
Similar to mine
added by karourke to karourke's Ideas (3 months ago)
Gaga
added by galeh4ever to Kitchen Ideas (3 months ago)
Window
added by jenlhome to jenlhome's Ideas (3 months ago)
Cabinet pulls.
added by catnip6cats to catnip6cats's Ideas (3 months ago)
Tile
added by Juan to juandeartes's ideas (3 months ago)
The combination of natural wood color and modern splashboard.
added by Naomi Lorraine to naomi_lorraine's ideas (3 months ago)
Window
added by ltlbarb to ltlbarb's Ideas (3 months ago)
Kitchen
added by pvconn to Kate's kitchen (3 months ago)
ugly
added by vickitoo to vickitoo's ideas (3 months ago)
tile around window different than backsplash
added by bahunte to Kitchen Ideas (3 months ago)
tile around window
added by joycepiller to joycepiller's ideas (3 months ago)
backsplash around window
added by Debbie Cole to Kitchen makeover 2013 (3 months ago)
nice look
added by nandmhorst to nandmhorst's Ideas (3 months ago)
Window and tile
added by haidee65 to haidee65's Ideas (3 months ago)
Kitchen
added by knot2bfound to Kitchen Ideas (3 months ago)
Tile..the subways
added by graceann123 to graceann123's Ideas (3 months ago)
Accent wall by back window?
added by pandasu13 to pandasu13's Ideas (3 months ago)
Window
added by rosalind84 to rosalind84's Ideas (3 months ago)
Hon
added by colorsrme to colorsrme's ideas (3 months ago)
Cabinets like mine.
added by mulcrone6 to mulcrone6's ideas (3 months ago)
adding white tops to existing aok cabinets doesn't work well here
added by lemonwu to kitchen (3 months ago)
Countertop and backsplash
added by cinda2 to cinda2's ideas (3 months ago)
Oak with.white
added by astarr901 to astarr901's ideas (3 months ago)
Tile around window
added by pattih123 to pattih123's Ideas (3 months ago)
Cabinets
added by iamjn to iamjn's Ideas (3 months ago)
Chufang
added by Julie to juliebucks12's ideas (3 months ago)
the tiles around the window
added by TYLERMADE to tylermarkham's ideas (3 months ago)
ATTEMPT TO UPDATE OAK CABINETS???
added by mslftrue to mslftrue's Ideas (3 months ago)
Love this window detail
added by mznick to mznick's Ideas (3 months ago)
Light grey subway tile?
added by Andrea Hansen_Szymczyk to ahmarie's ideas (3 months ago)
the tile around the window
added by craigcurt to craigcurt's Ideas (3 months ago)
Window with glass tiles
added by palomaway to palomaway’s kitchen ideas (3 months ago)
oak cabinets with updated hardware
added by 4kelkel to 4kelkel's ideas (3 months ago)
plain front of sink, chrome hardware and darker hinges
added by janeydonut to janeydonut's Ideas (3 months ago)
tiles round window
added by eks51 to eks51's ideas (3 months ago)
cabinets and counter
added by harmon builders, llc to Glauser Kitchen Ideas (1) (3 months ago)
these cabinets are similar to the ones in the new home in MD. Switching out existing hardware for new (brushed nickel), would be an option for improving the look. You can see how a tiled backsplash and lighter counter tops transforms the space.
added by marciacorreale to marciacorreale's Ideas (3 months ago)
Our kitchen
added by riastarr to Kitchen (3 months ago)
Counter top; Hate the window
added by mslaura1013 to mslaura1013's ideas (3 months ago)
***White Granite with Oak cabinets*** Peuter handles on cabinets
added by valentin523220 to valentin523220's Favorites (3 months ago)
Gfc
added by kenestvedt to Kitchen (3 months ago)
our cabinets
added by lmoore44 to lmoore44's ideas (3 months ago)
tiles around window
added by carly18 to carly18's Ideas (4 months ago)
Box window with complimenting tile
added by 24242 to kitchen (4 months ago)
light counter....no
added by orangecorduroy to Tiles (4 months ago)
This tile is a beautiful handmade tile from Mercury Mosaics. We did the 2"x4" size and the color light gray (815). http://www.mercurymosaics.com/
added by afab40 to kitchen (4 months ago)
dont like the light grant need to go dark
added by roniangie to roniangie's Ideas (4 months ago)
Tile around the window
added by jenpen4u to jenpen4u's Ideas (4 months ago)
Back splash
added by mdpilots to mdpilots's Ideas (4 months ago)
Tile-counter contrast
added by bertram211 to Young Ideas! (4 months ago)
Oak Cabinets
added by carvila to carvila's Ideas (4 months ago)
Window framing tile
added by sweetwist to sweetwist's ideas (4 months ago)
Use of color to unite space
added by chepina to chepina's Ideas (4 months ago)
Cabinet doors
added by janeyann to janeyann's Ideas (4 months ago)
Window and set up is very similar to out kitchen
added by andreamoroz to andreamoroz's ideas (4 months ago)
WINDOW
added by DeLane Rosenau to delane_rosenau's kitchen (4 months ago)
like the different tile around window
added by mervennetaylor to mervennetaylor's ideas (4 months ago)
Oak. White
added by Sarah Holzerland to sarah_holzerland's ideas (4 months ago)
love the mix match tiles around the window!
added by janemueller to janemueller's ideas (4 months ago)
Use of a contrasting backplash to call attention to the window
added by katy63301 to Kitchen (4 months ago)
Love the window!
added by rebeccar61 to rebeccar61's ideas (4 months ago)
oak with light colors
added by buckman539 to buckman539's Ideas (4 months ago)
Tile
added by bellafarouk to bellafarouk's ideas (4 months ago)
MAGNOLIA HONEY OAK
added by cnmayans to cnmayans's ideas (4 months ago)
kitchen w/oak cabinets
added by rosean to rosean's ideas (4 months ago)
old oak
added by Daniel Ballestas to daniel_ballestas's Ideas (4 months ago)
Oak with white tile
added by milakova to Milakova's ideas (4 months ago)
Keep existing oak kitchen cabinets, freshien up with new hardware and new counterop and backsplash.
added by stacyeisenreich to Kitchens (4 months ago)
tile
added by diannejeff to diannejeff's ideas (4 months ago)
kitchen sink / window recess
added by Katherine Wallace_Hamilton to katherine_wallace_hamilton's ideas (4 months ago)
Old oak cabinets
added by jillian5301 to jillian5301's Ideas (4 months ago)
Window
added by balido to balido's ideas (4 months ago)
Glass all around window
added by joanhfloyd to Subway tile (4 months ago)
Multicolor tile backsplah
added by kwolbert to kitchen (4 months ago)
Very similar cabinets to mine.
added by burrelli to Tiffany (4 months ago)
backsplash
added by hochstein_06 to kitchen (4 months ago)
Backsplash
added by Lise Gauthier to lise_gauthier7430's ideas (4 months ago)
nice
added by orelien to orelien's Ideas (4 months ago)
Kitchen cabinet
added by raccoonbear7 to raccoonbear7's ideas (4 months ago)
LIKE THIS ONE. Super clean yet warm. spacious.
added by aastrande15 to aastrande15's Favorites (5 months ago)
Interestin
added by renaewalter to kitchen (5 months ago)
tile and counter w oak
added by crys1775 to crys1775's ideas (5 months ago)
Kitchen
added by joujou5 to joujou5's ideas (5 months ago)
don't like matching wood trim around window no blue!
added by kylerhayes to kylerhayes's Ideas (5 months ago)
Our new kitchen?
added by tessalpierce to Kitchen (5 months ago)
Nice mix of traditional oak and new surfaces
added by jordanwasdal to cupboards (5 months ago)
Same as mycupboards
added by debbiejoan to debbiejoan's Favorites (5 months ago)
Hum
added by pinkypeony to pinkypeony's Ideas (5 months ago)
Tile around window
added by lkellim to backsplash (5 months ago)
NO NO